Here it comes again, drivin’ me nuts
Can’t control my feet or stop shakin’ my butt
The neighbours are complaining, it’s getting out of hand
Throw that beat in the garbage can
Stop that beat, it makes me apprehensive
Sweat ruins my clothes, they are very expensive
Like the Transcontinental Railroad engineers driving a golden spike into the story’s track, the very final scene written was the conversation in Twenty-Two between Damron, Phinizy and Isabel. The exchange with Phinizy was the last scene I wrote was because I had forgotten about what happened, and Phinizy had forgotten that he told me about it. He reminded me of the story when I was almost finished with the manuscript, and I’m glad he did. I think it provides an important piece of the larger puzzle for the reader, and references the title of the book to boot.
The story of Twenty Two made me realize I could never fully succeed in my role so long as the MP was my “manager.” I didn’t include this inner monologue in the book until later in the story because I thought it would detract from the central conflict approaching. I was still unaware that what was happening to me had a name, but I knew I’d have to get out, but not how or to where. I loved everything else about the company and could hardly bear the thought of leaving the team.
I felt uncomfortable introducing Claire in Planet Claire and then making little or no mention of her again until the midpoint of the book, but scenes with me telling her how well things were going and her telling me I’m awesome would be boring. However, not introducing Claire until the midpoint of the book wouldn’t do. Accordingly, I made the conversation in De-Skilling, which in reality was with Harriet and Penelope, a touch point with Claire before everything unravels. I did have many conversations with Claire similar to De-Skilling, trying to gently warn Claire that I was in a highly dysfunctional situation in my local office.
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